Trump Faces Sharp Economic Approval Drop Amid Midterm Concerns

President Donald Trump faces significant challenges with the U.S. economy as key indicators worsen, including rising inflation driven by tariffs and a shrinking manufacturing sector, causing his approval ratings on economic management to drop sharply. Recent polls show only about 37% of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, with inflation cited as the top voter concern, posing risks for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Despite Trump's efforts to downplay negative jobs reports and criticize Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates, economic data continues to disappoint, and his administration has faced criticism for attempting to replace the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics with a loyalist. His major legislative achievement, the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,' which extended tax cuts while cutting social programs, is highly unpopular and seen as a political liability, limiting his options to improve voter sentiment. Republicans are anxious about the economic outlook's impact on their electoral prospects, while Democrats aim to emphasize economic dissatisfaction to regain control of Congress. Overall, the worsening economy threatens to undermine Trump's broader political agenda and could have significant consequences for his party.